Not all those who wander are lost, but Aubree Sadler most definitely is on this novel’s whirlwind trip through Europe.

Aubree can’t think of a better place to be than in perfectly boring Ohio, and she’s ready for a relaxing summer. But when her older sister, Elizabeth, gets into real trouble, Aubree is talked into taking over Elizabeth’s summer job, leading a group of senior citizens on a bus tour through Europe.

Aubree doesn’t even make it to the first stop in Amsterdam before their perfect plan unravels, leaving her with no phone, no carefully prepared binder full of helpful facts, and an unexpected guest: the tour company owner’s son, Sam. Considering she’s pretending to be Elizabeth, she absolutely shouldn’t fall for him, but she can’t help it, especially with the most romantic European cities as the backdrop for their love story.

But her relationship with Sam is threatening to ruin her relationship with her sister, and she feels like she’s letting both of them down. Aubree knows this trip may show her who she really is—she just hopes she likes where she ends up.

I received this book for free from the source listed above in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

“But now that I see all this and realize I couldn’t even have dreamed any of it because it was all so far off my radar, I have this weird uncomfortable twinge in my chest. Because…what else haven’t I bothered to dream, not thinking things could get any better?”

WANDERLOST first piqued my interest when I read the synopsis. A girl gets (roped into) tasked with leading a group of seniors on a European bus tour, possibly finding love along the way? It sounds like it has two things I love: travel and the promise of romance. But while WANDERLOST met some of my expectations, it fell short on others.

As our main character, Aubree says towards the beginning, “There’s no way this could work.” She’s right. Suspend your disbelief because all the things that go down to make this story possible are a little farfetched and/or too convenient. It makes the setup for the actual plot feel a little messy and awkward. There are even a few opportune time skips that glaze over what might disrupt the plot. However, once everything gets going, the book continues at a pretty good pace without faltering again.

“I’ve tried flying now. And flying and I will not be achieving bestie status.”

Aubree is somewhat childish, naive, and hesitant when we first meet her. Her parents do everything for her and she is extremely dependent. Once she’s out on her own, she finally starts to grow up and come out of her shell, with the encouragement from others. By the end of the book, it is clear she has come a long way,

Speaking of the other characters, I quite enjoyed the seniors that were on the bus tour as well as the love interest. It was interesting to see how everyone slowly developed friendships, and possibly more. The couple in WANDERLOST was pretty cute, although it fit with the rest of the book in being somewhat unbelievable. (Eleven days just seems like such a short period of time!)

“I may be a bona fide high school graduate of all of six days,
but there are times a girl needs her snuggly.”

Aubree’s narrative voice is somewhat unique, her thought process was easy to relate to, although I did occasionally struggle with her. I think I may have been able to connect with her more if I was closer to her in age.

The writing really lacked descriptors. It was mostly ‘this happened and then that happened.’ Case in point, when Aubree sees her hotel for the first time: “I knew the bus tour would be first class all the way, but wow. The lobby looks like something out of a movie.” Okay, but what does it look like? This is Europe that you could be describing right now. How does the lobby look like it’s from a movie? Does it just look like a clean Best Western or does it look like a resort in Dubai? For a novel that had so much potential when it came to discovering and describing locations, it missed the mark.

Overall, WANDERLOST was a fun read. I would recommend it to fans of ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS who wouldn’t mind the lack of descriptions, the addition of some memorable senior citizens, and a little humor.

Rating Report

Plot

Characters

Writing

Pacing

Romance

Overall:

3

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32 Responses to “Review: Wanderlost by Jen Malone”

Oh, that’s too bad. I’ve been meaning to read this on account of the other bloggers who have given it all the praises in the world. Bah. But a 3-star-rating is not all that bad, mind you. Perhaps, a “maybe”?Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…Hoarders, Books Edition: Episode 182

This sounds like a fun, summery read! I do like books with description and this book seems quite lacking in that, but it has such a cute premise I have to give it a go! :) Great review!Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic recently posted…Unhinged by A.G. Howard was absolutely magical

I’m sorry this one doesn’t work for you! I want to read this because of the amazing reviews it gets, but I’m not sure now if I could get over the immature and dependent part of Aubree at the beginning… I hope your next read would be better!Tasya recently posted…ARC Review: The Whispering of Trees by C.Y Bourgeois

I’ve been seeing this one around quite a bit recently^^ I like having a fun and quick read every so often – usually between heavier or feels-inducing reads LOL! Seriously, I NEED to catch up on my contemporaries….so I can read Anna and the French Kiss and then decide if I ought to give this one a go XD Glad you had fun with with Alise, despite the lack of descriptions and convenient storytelling. xx.Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews recently posted…Review: Once Was A Time

I’ve got my review of this one scheduled and had the same problems as you when reading it – some parts of it were far-fetched, and I felt that there was more telling than showing.A Canadian Girl recently posted…Review: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Oh damn, that’s sad about the lack of descriptions–when you choose interesting locations, PLEASE DESCRIBEEEE. And haha, I think I could totally relate to the protagonist here since I basically do depend on my parents for everything :P Hopefully it’s not too “insta-lovey” because I can’t stand that, but otherwise I’m really looking forward to reading this one! Great review :DRabiah recently posted…The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

This reminds me of the moving Driving Aphrodite I think it was called, with the woman from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, bit concerning that the cover models look around 14 though. It sounds like it would have had potential had it just been a fluffy holiday romance and more about the locations. Probably great for young teens looking for entertaining reads without depth. Sorry you couldn’t have enjoyed this more Alise, but wonderful review lovely girl <3Kelly recently posted…Read It! Burn Bright

I’m not always one to scream for more details/description, but I agree with your assessment based on the hotel moment you noted. It DEFINITELY needs a bit more, especially since she’s traveling. It’s important to help make the reader feel like they are there.ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings

I feel like this could have been such a readable contemporary, romantic sort of book, since the quotes you’ve shared are amusing and give me such a feeling that this would be a book to read and have rather fun times with, but I gather it’s not like that at all, from your review, which is such a dissappointment. I don’t think either of us favour the contemporary genre, primarily? So it’s always a let down when you do pick up a book in a genre you don’t tend to read and it’s a let down.

I’m a little perplexed by how much of the plot here is something of a suspension of belief? I’m both intrigued and confused by that! *laughs* And it does make me feel as if it would have been a more enjoyable read if it had been speculative fiction or maybe urban fantasy?

I agree! Yeah, if you find the quotes funny then I think you would like the protagonist since she is somewhat easy to relate to. It definitely had fun parts but I couldn’t shake the “this would NEVER happen in real life” thing. Oh, by that I meant that it isn’t realistic to pretend to be your sister on an international job trip that your parents had no problem with.

Omg I felt the same. Aubree was acting like she’d never been outside. Like, calm down. “A cheese shop??” It reminded me very much so of Anna and The French Kiss. Naiveté x1000. Also, airport security is intense and she was fumbling a lot, so that could never work. I really did like Sam, though.peach @ rebelle reads recently posted…Review: Wink Poppy Midnight